Each year, I love to look at the numbers for what the state spends on the talent it brings to Dorton Arena. Part of it is a longtime fascination with how much has-been rockers and country stars continue to get paid well past their prime, though I've also continued to argue that the state could spend this huge sum of money—this year, $420,000—in smarter ways to bring in a different type of talent and actually boost attendance across different demographics. (The Latino market, for instance, remains dreadfully underserved.) So far, that only gets me into arguments on Facebook, it seems.

This year, as a running addendum to our Wednesday piece detailing just what the state spent this year, we'll publish the number of tickets sold to each previous night's show, as well as the money made or lost through those sales. Check back at this link for the information.